While some people may have loved a particular song or band during their life, or specifically requested a piece of music be played at their funeral, for others it may be more difficult to decide on funeral songs.
That’s why we thought it would be helpful to share 20 meaningful songs below which tend to be popular choices for funerals that you may wish to incorporate into a service to farewell your loved one.
Why is Music an Important Part of a Funeral?
Music is often described as an anchor or gateway to the past. Often when it is played at a funeral it transports us back to a time and place or a special moment we shared with the deceased.
In addition to this, music sets the tone for the service, is an effective way to personalise the event and a powerful way to evoke memories of the person you’ve lost.
Among the most popular times to play songs during a funeral include:
- When people congregate before a service,
- During a video or slideshow celebrating the deceased’s life,
- During a time of reflection, and
- As the procession leaves the service
20 Uplifting Funeral Songs
If you are struggling to select the perfect piece of music to celebrate and commemorate your loved one, you may find the ideal song in the below list.
- In The Arms Of An Angel, Sarah McLachlan
- I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston
- My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion
- Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Judy Garland
- Wind Beneath My Wings, Bette Midler
- Goodbye My Lover, James Blunt
- Candle In The Wind, Elton John
- The Carnival is Over, The Seekers
- I Did It My Way, Frank Sinatra
- Unforgettable, Nat and Natalie Cole
- What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
- Time To Say Goodbye, Sara Brightman Andrea Bocelli
- The Rose, Bette Midler
- Danny Boy, Celtic Woman
- Amazing Grace, Judy Collins
- You Raise Me Up, Josh Groban
- We’ll Meet Again, Vera Lynn
- True Blue, John Williamson
- Sailing, Rod Stewart
- Spirit In The Sky, Norm Greenbaum
What songs should never be played at a funeral?
Music at a funeral is a personal choice (as it is in life), but we recommend picking songs that are appropriate for the service and wouldn’t be considered offensive to anyone attending – or the deceased.
We also suggest listening to the lyrics, or looking them up online and reading them carefully before making your decision.
Picking Music for a Funeral Service
If you are stuck with your song selection, our funeral directors are more than happy to assist with music selection.
Please contact us today by calling (07) 3217 3088 or fill in your details here.
Anton Brown Funerals is a family-owned, Queensland funeral company which was established in 1995.
Our Brisbane-based team of funeral directors are honest, professional, compassionate and understanding, and always put our clients and their needs first.
We go above and beyond to ensure your loved one’s funeral arrangements are tailored to their final wishes and can assist you with burials, cremations, coffins, floral arrangements, pre-planning and more.
If you need help organising a dignified funeral service, we are available to discuss arrangements 24/7, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to us today on (07) 3217 3088 or send us a message online here.
